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District Attorney - News

Posted on: January 9, 2018

Former Caseworker with Jeffco Human Services Pleads Guilty

A 63-year-old former caseworker with Jefferson County Human Services appeared in court today and plead guilty to two felony counts for falsifying information in child abuse and neglect complaints. Richelle Schultz, DOB: 6-28-64, pled guilty to Attempt to Influence a Public Servant (F4) and Forgery (F5).

Ms. Schultz was employed by the Jefferson County Department of Human services between December 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016 and was trained to investigate complaints alleging child abuse and neglect. In July, 2016 Ms. Schultz terminated her employment with the Department of Human Services. Following Ms. Schultz’s resignation, a review of her cases was conducted. It was determined that Ms. Schultz entered false information into the database regarding 12 cases. In the 12 cases she reported that she had interviewed the victim, family, and/or witnesses in person and/or on the telephone, when she had not.

A subsequent review of the 12 cases in which Ms. Schultz entered erroneous information was conducted by the Jefferson County Department of Human Services. Supervisors confirmed that there were no unresolved safety issues in those cases and all cases were closed.

Ms. Schultz was indicted in September, 2017. Her sentencing has been set for March 5 at 8:00 a.m. She could potentially face up to nine years in prison.

The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual has committed a crime(s). A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. See Colo. RPC 3.6.